Blog Post: Change of Course? Maybe, Maybe Not.

     Since Change of Course is the name of my company it might lead you to assume that I highly recommend career changes; Not when it's the wrong move. Perhaps if you are in an industry hardest hit by economic hardship, it may be necessary to look in new directions, but before you try to completely change your course, consider making just a slight adjustment on your path.

     In a study by Marcus Buckingham, author of "Go Put Your Strengths To Work", American workers, including those who were dissatisfied in their positions, were asked, "what is your ideal job?". 60 percent answered, "more of the same" or "a subset of their current work" and only 31% of respondents explained that they would ideally prefer another vocation. 

     So why do so many people still think that they need to look into new occupations in order to be happily employed? Buckingham explains that, over time, people's jobs become morphed and re-defined by management and even co-workers. Your peers and supervisors observe that you are really good at something, or at least willing to take something new on, and they give you more of it. This takes you further away from the work that you truly enjoy and originally signed on for.

     Similarly, the book, "The Peter Principle" warns that people are often promoted outside of their expertise level to management and fail miserably because they are rewarded with a role that does not fit them. When this happens people often feel trapped and ashamed by their desire to move back down the ladder. An equally tragic thing happens to some people who are promoted and find that they excel within their new role. They do a great job because the new position uses some of their strengths, but they are unhappy because, as Buckingham explains, the work doesn't strengthen them; they have no passion for it and at the end of the day they feel drained. Its a slippery slope; just because you are good at something, does not mean that you should be doing it.

     So what does this all mean to you and what should you do about your next career move? First, clarify whether you really don't like your occupation or whether you simply wish to get back to doing what you were originally trained to do. Write down what initially attracted you to your current line of work. Then, list out all of the tasks that you are really good at and make you feel energized ("strengthened") when you do them. Market all of these strengths by highlighting them on your resumes, cover letters and interviews. Avoid, as much as possible, marketing your ability to do things that you are good at, but really don't like doing. For example, you may be great at formatting company newsletters, but if that work drained you in the past, it will most likely leave you drained in the future.

     If you can't find work in your current occupation that will capitalize on this refined list of strengths, then begin to look in related fields that will. Most importantly, once you find your next position, which you will, make every effort to shine at using your preferred strengths. Do this so well that others wouldn't even dream of re-directing you to other tasks. If they do, just remind them of all the benefits you are bringing to the company by working in your preferred areas. Keep finding new ways to create bigger and bolder contributions in the areas that you love (you will have more time to do this, if you're not taking on everyone else's work). Yes, it takes a great deal of energy and courage to stay on course, but it takes so much more to deliberately change your course; you choose.